From Barcelona to Khairpur: SALU VC Dr. Khushk Explores New Avenues for Global Research and Academic Partnerships.
From Barcelona to Khairpur: SALU VC Dr. Khushk Explores New Avenues for Global Research and Academic Partnerships.
Second Day of Barcelona Visit: Dr. Khushk Explores Research Collaboration in Natural, Physical and Social Sciences at UPF, Discusses Faculty Exchanges and International Partnerships, and Engages with Academic Representatives from Tunisia, Kenya and South Africa.
Barcelona, Spain | October 20, 2026
The second day of the official visit of Meritorious Prof. Dr. Yousuf Khushk, Vice Chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, to Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, was marked by productive academic engagements aimed at exploring international research linkages, faculty development, postgraduate opportunities and future institutional partnerships.
Accompanied by International Mobility officer Silvia and Professor Marco Madella, the Vice Chancellor visited UPF’s Campus Mar and its Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS), where he was welcomed by Campus Director Esther de la Varga and Marta Torras, Manager Assistant to the Campus Director. The visit particularly focused on identifying potential academic and research linkages for SALU’s Departments of Microbiology, Pharmacy, Chemistry and Biochemistry, with emphasis on future faculty collaboration, advanced laboratory exposure and joint research opportunities.
The visit also included the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), an internationally recognized research hub bringing together approximately 1,700 professionals from 65 countries. Its collaborative research environment, advanced scientific facilities and emphasis on innovation, patents and knowledge transfer offered valuable insights into strengthening research capacity and exploring future collaborative funding opportunities.
Another important engagement was the visit to archaeology research laboratories, where interactions with researchers working on international archaeological projects highlighted opportunities for further strengthening existing academic connections in archaeology, cultural heritage, ancient civilizations and interdisciplinary research. Professor Marco Madella facilitated discussions on research methodologies and potential scholarly cooperation, particularly in areas relevant to Pakistan’s archaeological heritage.
At UPF’s Ciutadella Campus, an extensive academic meeting was held with Prof. Josep Ibáñez Muñoz, Commissioner for EUTOPIA and International Programmes and Professor of International Relations in the Department of Law. The discussions focused on exploring future academic linkages for SALU’s disciplines of Political Science, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Sociology, Media and Communication Studies, and Law.
Professor Ibáñez shared perspectives on international academic programmes, university networks and interdisciplinary cooperation, while possibilities for direct faculty-to-faculty contacts, collaborative research, student and faculty exchanges, postgraduate opportunities and joint applications for international research funding were explored. Both sides recognized the importance of continued academic dialogue to identify practical areas for future cooperation.
Towards the conclusion of the academic engagements, a separate interaction was held with representatives from Tunisia, Kenya and South Africa, including Professor Asma Gati, Vice President of the University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia, and Ms. Grace Gatambu, Senior officer, Kenyatta University, Kenya, along with an academic representative Anna Lisa from South Africa.
These interactions provided an additional opportunity to establish initial academic contacts beyond Spain, potentially creating new avenues for future institutional cooperation, faculty networking and collaborative research with universities in the three African countries.
In the evening the day’s programme also included a Barcelona Cultural Visit, beginning with a meeting at Agora Barcelona and conducted by official tourist guide Marc Pilenlis. The visiting international academic delegation was introduced to Barcelona’s rich historical and cultural heritage through a guided tour of the city’s prominent historical landmarks and cultural sites. The visit provided an opportunity for intercultural learning, informal academic interaction and a deeper appreciation of Barcelona’s historical identity and architectural heritage.